Paul Downie

Rottnest solo 2009. Shoulders broke down and then I hit a very tough current. Hmmmm.

What do you think about when you are finding training or a race really tough?

Having a cocktail at sunset at our place down south of Western Australia with my family. Nothing better than that. And working out how Neil Young got to write so many great songs and then I try to sing as many of them while I swim. That way I enjoy the song and no-one gets to complain about my singing – or the words I make up.

What do you reward yourself with after a big training session or race?

After a training session – coffee and a warm muffin.
After a race – a big party at the pub.

I have recently watched a video of father and son triathlon team – Dick and Rick Hoyt. Truly inspirational and proves there are few challenges in life that can’t be met somehow – watch http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOZPs4HSl0I

I lost my Dad to diabetes nearly 30 years ago and I am now approaching his age. He loved challenges and would have enjoyed being involved in something like this. I know he will be with me on the swim. And two very old family friends have just been diagnosed with breast cancer. It seems so unfair that so many people, primarily women, get hit with it in the prime of their life. Hopefully the money we raise will go some way to finding a cure.

How many kms will you rack up in a week min-max?

25ks – 50ks

What do you think about in these long swims?

The finish. And Neil Young songs.

Tell us something about your preparations for the English Channel that you would not normally do for any other sporting event.

With my body shape, I have to make sure I work at keeping weight off. There is something unusual about this swim about trying to keep weight on! Getting fit and fat seem diametrically opposed. All for a good cause though.

Dashing in the water and out!

Are you a competitive person? Who is the most competitive person you know?

Two of my co-swimmers for the Rottnest channel swim, Wayne Morris (a Channel Dare swim buddy) and Rory Thomson are two of the most competitive sporting people I know. And for the past 10 years or so, my business partner, John McGlue (an Irish guy who’d think swimming away from England is a noble pursuit) rates as being the most rounded competitive person I know. Don’t get between him and an 8 ball in a game of pool!

What do you like to eat during these long swims?

Honey sandwich, carbo shots and Ribena. For this though I think warm tea and coffee might be called upon.

Will you be getting a tattoo after this swim to symbolise what you have achieved?

After pleading with my children not to get a tattoo, I can’t even contemplate one. But if I was, well – I’m not going to tell them on a public form like this one!

Hi Paul….just to let you know that the 2011 bookclubbers are very interested and in awe of your pursuit of the Channel Dare – an amazing thing to do for breast cancer. We didn’t know you were a Neil Young fan – you are a miner for a heart of gold! Best of luck Paul.
from Di on behalf of the 2011 bc.

Swim 4 Wayne : Collected So Far

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About Us!

Channel Dare is a group of intrepid swimmers from Perth, Western Australia each training for the 40km English Channel swim in 2011. Raising money for Breast Cancer Care WA, each will undertake their solo swim in windows through July, August and September 2011.

Quick fact: Did you know, more people have climbed Everest than swum the English Channel? It's that tough! Strong currents, cold water, large waves and swell, the extreme distance and quite a bit of water-born 'pollution' make for an extremely tough challenge which only very strong swimmers are able to undertake. Find out more about the English Channel Swim here.

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